I’ve always liked Jacobs and I had very high hopes for him, when he started out. But, Barkley would do a number on him, in my opinion.
Personally I've always felt Jacob's to be overrated. I could never get past the number Pirog did to him. I got the Blade here.
interesting! Iran was a wrecking machine who took chances with a few flaws and openings for countering- Jacobs top 3 today closely next to GGG and Canelo - jacobs is contained, lots of heart and a big middleweight with ring smarts and Brooklyn toughness- I think he finds the openings and capitalises enough to get the victory - Jacobs w 12
Jacobs knows a few tricks to counter Blade. Plus too many losses from fighters Iran could have beaten or should've. Jacobs by decision in an ebb n flow battle. I can envision and elbow or head swelling Iran up something fierce. Jacobs likes to fight for position, I can see Iran catching the brunt of it, then add on some nice counters.
It is a shame that we didn't get to see more of Pirog. I'd expected him to go on; have a great future and be in some very watchable bouts, before injury forced his retirement. That said, I doubt Barkley would have reacted in the same way as Jacobs did, to the type of pressure Pirog was putting on. I think The Blade could have withstood better the clean shots Pirog was landing on Jacobs, as well. I suspect a Pirog/Barkley match would have been a different type of fight altogether.
I think Iran can win this but he would have to be at his best. Anything less, Jacobs beats him on points